Make sure you pick up Interweave’s largest issue yet, with lots of mixed media, handcrafted inspiration! We’ve featured the projects designed with Vintaj in our gallery below. Page 73 is a necklace by our own Rose Noble, using the Melt Art technique. Each design includes step-by-step photos and instructions. Don’t miss the product feature on the Vintaj Patinas from Ranger in the Found Object section on page 9. One of the best features is their Techniques Index on page 17, you can search by Embossing, Patinating, etc.!
We hope these submissions to our Design Challenge inspire you to try an Radiant Raven-themed design using Vintaj!
Click thumbnails to enlarge. The title and inspiration is listed below the enlarged photo of their piece – just click on the thumbnails, you may need to scroll down a little.
Vote for your favorite by selecting your favorite ‘number’ on the poll listed above and clicking VOTE in the lower right corner! If you do not vote through the polling system your vote will not be counted. One vote per person please! The poll closes midnight (central time) on Friday October 5, and the challenge winner will receive a collection of over 75 pieces of Vintaj products, a posting on our blog with a link to their site/blog, and will be entered into the End of the Year Challenge contest!
We will post the winning design on Monday October 8 by noon (central time) so be sure to check back. Our Editor’s Pick will be announced the same day.
Back in 2007, the Girls of Vintaj came back from Tucson with lots of goodies and new friendships, including one with Cynthia Thornton and the crew of Green Girl Studios. Click HERE to see a necklace designed by Jess after coming back from that show! We thought Cynthia’s work was a great fit for our Radiant Raven theme. We’re big fans of her book Enchanted Adornments.
Here is a video of Cynthia explaining where she got inspiration for the book!
How long have you been designing (selling) beads?
I started designing beads long before I actually began producing and selling them, so, I’ve been in business for 13 years.
What is your background and how did you get started?
My background is in fine art and illustration, with an emphasis on sculpture and Renaissance painting techniques. I discovered beads while in art school, pouring over a book called Ojime: Jewels of Japan. I was amazed at the level of detail in such a tiny object. It was then that I decided to make miniature sculpture. The decision to make them into beads and pendants was a simple one, since it was the best way to display my creations – as personal adornment.
Andrew Thornton at Bead&Button 2012
Where do you find inspiration for your lines and how often to you introduce new ones?
Inspiration comes from everywhere. For me, it must be coaxed out of everyday things, like the view out of our dining room window, which opens on mountains, trees and so many birds! Or, I’ll see my cat propped against the door and think how fun it would be to carve him in that pose. Its important to allow oneself the freedom to find beautiful things in their surroundings, rather than waiting for the perfect place for a source.
Do you have a similar design process for each line?
My process always begins with my sketchbook. I sketch images, watercolor washes and draw with colored inks, attempting to capture the essence of the inspiration. Then I draw it a few more times, refining as I go. Then, after I am happy with my work, I begin carving (or painting, stringing, sculpting….the process always begins the same).
What kind of space do you design & create in?
I have two areas that I work in, one is a little corner in the living/dining room and the other is in my upstairs studio space. The smaller space is where I draw and carve little things. Its a good place to be with my family while I work. My studio is about 400 sq. ft. with a painting area, a sewing station, a beading section, a photography corner and of course loads of books and supplies. Its my magical haven.
How often do you get to design jewelry?
I design pieces about every other day, some days more than others. Its the actual creating is the hard part to make time for!
What are your favorite Vintaj products to use with your beads?
I love the Vintaj pieces that are designed to be layered, like the flat filigree pieces. I think they look great wire wrapped with mixed materials.
Is there anything you can add about our theme, Radiant Raven…how your beads and Vintaj work together?
This theme is perfect for Green Girl Studios and Vintaj! Both companies feature pieces with a clear botanical element, which perfectly complements the raven motif.
Cynthia with her partner and husband Gregory Ogden & the beautiful kids
For this month’s theme, Radiant Raven, we featured our beautiful Arte Metal Rhapsody Romance pendant in multiple designs to showcase different techniques with it. I’ve put together a collage of four designs, showcasing this piece with patina, layers, dangles & more…
{click on the below project idea titles for links to the products and Green Girl Studios pewter beads & pendants}
Midnight Raven necklace designed by Betsy
Betsy added a light wash of patinas and glaze over the Rhapsody Romance pendant and reliefed the high points for added dimension and shine. I love the layers she created with our Tiered Leaves and Czech glass leaf beads using Arte Metal 20 gauge wire.
Lace Wings earrings by Jess
First I applied layers of verdigris, opalite, amethyst and cobalt patina to the surface of two Rhapsody Romance pendants. After reliefing the raised areas to bring back the metal details, I layered our Tiered Leaves over the top attaching them with an Arte Metal French Ear Wire. Two holes were punched to the bottom to suspend the beautiful pewter Lace pendants from Green Girl Studios. To add the iridescent look similar to a ravens wing, I wire wrapped Czech glass leaf beads with our 22 gauge Arte Metal wire.
Radiant Raven necklace designed by Jess
First I applied layers of verdigris, opalite, amethyst and cobalt patina to the surface of the Rhapsody Romance pendant. After reliefing the raised areas to bring back the metal details, I dapped the pendant in our Wood Dapping Block. To cluster the glass beads and patina’d feathers and wings, I punched holes along the bottom of the dapped pendant with our 1.5mm Hole Punch Pliers. To create the wings that suspend below, I used our Metal Shears to cut apart our Dragonfly and use the wings individually. Other little details include a mixture of nouveau silver patina and glaze to the token feather pieces hanging beside the wings.
Lonely Wren earring designed by Mackie Mullane
Mackie applied a mixture of our metallic patinas to two Rhapsody Romance pendants for an iridescent look. She punched holes in the bottom of dangle chain, findings, and beads in a variety of lengths to complete her earrings.
Thank you to our Art Bead Partner, Green Girl Studios for the gorgeous handmade pewter beads, charms and pedants to incorporate into our Radiant Raven designs. Be sure to visit their website & “like” them on facebook!
Enter our Radiant Raven Design Challenge for a chance to win over 75pcs inspired by our theme! Submissions due by NOON (CST) Friday, September 28th. Click here for more details!
Create beautiful designs with delicate fine-lined detail! Add patina to accentuate the pattern etched onto the blank or simply highlight the high points to make it pop. Here are some jewelry project ideas featuring just 3 out of 6 of our brand new DecoEtch Dies by Sizzix!
Wire wrap top-drilled beads, create bead links, layer & attach components together or simply add a decorative element to your designs. Mix wire colors to make a beautiful metal statement!
In one of our most recent series of step-by-step technique videos, I show you how to create a beautiful torched effect finish on our Arte Metal Mythical Wings set using our new Vintaj Metallic Patinas by Ranger!
Have fun and create unique jewelry components by experimenting with a combination of our metallic patinas with a variety of Vintaj metals!
We are excited to announce that due to popular demand, we will now be holding our Vintaj 2-Day Comprehensive Workshop 4 times a year! With a new curriculum starting each September and running through the following July… but that’s not it, you will now leave not only learning a variety of our most current techniques, but also with many finished jewelry pieces in hand. We hope this gives you an opportunity to join us in beautiful Galena, IL where our studio and Vintaj Earth jewelry boutique shop are located, and where you are sure to be inspired!
Turn one of our favorite decorative rings into fun & functional jewelry components.
Our beautifully detailed Asian Window makes a gorgeous drop, fabulous toggle, creative connector/clasp, unique bead cap & more! Here are a few ways we’ve incorporated it into our Asian Lantern project ideas…
Dynasty designed by Mackie
Link together and layer beads in front of an Asian Window to create a beautiful statement earring!
Tranquility designed by Jess
Layer two Asian Window pieces back to back and connect with a jump ring. Use 22 gauge Arte Metal Wire to wrap two-holed Tila Beads to create a colorful toggle bar. Pair the two together to work as a fun and functional clasp. Attach two links of 8.7mm Rounded Oval Chain to suspend your focal beads from the toggle.
Asian Lantern by Mackie
Sandwich a Sparrows Compass in between two Asian Window pieces and secure with 10mm jump rings. Connect your beaded strands to one end of this decorative connector and pair with a 14mm Hook on the opposite end to turn it into a creative clasp!
Asian Windchime designed by Rose
Use Filigree Shaping Pliers to bend, twist and form two Asian Window pieces into cone shaped bead cap embellishments. String a faceted glass bead onto a head pin and secure through your newly shaped Asian Window. Suspend these stunning drops from each side of a Tree of Life pendant.
What would you do with this piece? Drill holes, patina, frame an image…
Share our Design Challenge with your customers!
Join in on the fun ~ Get involved on your website, blog or social media pages.
Create an inspiring bead mix or kits incorporating Vintaj and share your interpretation of “Radiant Raven”.
{Right click on image to save this image to your desktop} Share our challenge on your blog, website & facebook page! Take your interpretation of “Radiant Raven” and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass, Arte Metal and/or Artisan Copper! Submissions are due by NOON (CST) Friday, September 28. Voting will be open from October 1 – midnight October 5, with the challenge winner posted on Monday, October 8. Editor’s Pick will be posted the same day.
{Right click on image to save this image to your desktop} Share our challenge on your blog, website & facebook page! Take your interpretation of “Radiant Raven” and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass, Arte Metal and/or Artisan Copper! Submissions are due by NOON (CST) Friday, September 28. Voting will be open from October 1 – midnight October 5, with the challenge winner posted on Monday, October 8. Editor’s Pick will be posted the same day.
